Research Assistant

Are you interested in working with bee-pollinated plants and robot-sized devices? We are currently seeking a research assistant for the Plant Ecology and Evolution Program at the Department of Ecology and Genetics.

This is a temporary position (6 months) funded by a grant from the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP). The recruited research assistant will be part of a Swedish-American research collaboration currently consisting of two principal investigators (PIs), a PhD student, and a researcher.

About the Department:

The Department of Ecology and Genetics (IEG) is an international environment with staff and students from around the world. The department is part of the Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC), a research-focused and internationally renowned center that brings together evolutionary biologists across various study organisms and organizational levels, from molecules to ecosystems. EBC was founded in 1999 and currently includes two research institutions and several programs, the Biological Education Centre, and the Evolution Museum. More information can be found at http://www.ieg.uu.se (http://www.ieg.uu.se).

The Plant Ecology and Evolution Program consists of several independent research groups working at the interface of ecology and evolution, with plants as the central study system. We strive to create a welcoming and pleasant research environment and value collaborations and interactions both within the program and across different career stages.

Job Responsibilities

The main task is to conduct a series of experiments with real flowers and miniature robots to study pollen release in response to bee-like vibrations. The experiments are part of a larger project that combines biology and electrical engineering to study buzz-pollination.

The job responsibilities include growing and caring for plants, setting up experiments with small, sensitive, high-voltage-driven robotic actuators (“robobuzzers”), and collecting and counting pollen (using a particle counter). The experiments involve working with custom-built electronic equipment and software, as well as laser vibrometers and high-speed cameras.

As time allows, after the experiments are completed, the employee will also contribute to data analysis and manuscript writing.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in biology, electrical engineering, or related fields.
• Experience working with sensitive, fine-mesh systems, either biological or electrical.
• Ability to use basic software and run analysis workflows in R, MATLAB, or equivalent.
• Very good accuracy and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a group, including participating in weekly meetings with engineering partners abroad.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Independence and good problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to perform site-based, laboratory-based work.
• Good analytical skills.
• Good written and oral presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.

Desirable/meritorious

• Quantitative skills.
• Programming experience in R.
• Programming experience in MATLAB.
• Experience conducting research with plants and/or pollinators.
• Familiarity with, or willingness to learn, basic principles of mechanics and/or electronics.
• Documented ability to conduct and complete research projects (up to publication).

About the Position

The position is temporary, lasting 6 months. The extent is 100%. Start date 03/03/2026 or by agreement. Location: EBC, Uppsala.

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Prof. Mario Vallejo-Marin. [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

In this recruitment, we have replaced the personal letter with questions that you will answer as part of your application. The answers will be used as part of the selection process.

Welcome with your application by February 17, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/277.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University here (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/).

The position may be subject to security screening. A prerequisite for employment in security screening is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are accepted in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), Seko - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), ST (OFR/S) - [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])